Electrical cutout



Dec. 7, 1948. w. o.

original Filed March e, 194s SCHULTZ ELECTRICAL CIJTOUT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

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ELECTRICAL GUTOUT original Filed March es, 194e 5l sheets-sheet 2 n lun Dec. 7, 1948. w, SCHUL-rz v i 2,455,704

ELECTRICAL CUTOUT Original Filed March 6, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet .'5

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Dec. 7, 1948. w. o. scHULTz ELECTRICAL CUTOUT original Filed Maron e, 194e ATTO/PNE! Dec. 71948.

w. o. scHULTz 2,455,704

ELECTRICAL cUTouT Original Filed March 6, 1946 5 SheecS-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 7, 1948 ELECTRICAL CUTOUT William O. Schultz, South Milwaukee, Wis., as-

signor to Line Material Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Original application March 6, 1946, Serial No.

652,323. Divided and this application September 10, 1947, Serial No. 773,125

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical cut-outs and is particularly directed to oil fuse cut-outs.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 652,323 led March 6, 1946, for Electrical cut-out, assigned to the same assignee as this application.

Objects of this invention are to provide a housed type of oil fuse cut-out which is so constructed that it will automatically open the crcuit on overload and which may be opened man.- ually under load and which is arranged to insure the immediate extinction of any arc that may be formed, either due to automatic or manual opening of the circuit.

Further objects are to provide an oil fuse cutout which is equipped with a housing in which are located concentric cylinders formed of insulating material with stationary contacts carried on the inner side of the inner cylinder, with the cylinders open at their upper and lower ends and with the incoming leads positioned between the cylinders, thus aifording a high degree of protection.

Further objects are to provide an oil fuse cutout in which a housing is provided with an open f upper end through which a combined switch element and fuse carrier is adapted to be inserted in only one position corresponding to switch open position, which is provided with a cover portion adapted to close the open end of the housing and which has a yoke or bail-like member pivoted on the housing and provided with means for locking the cover to the housing, the yoke being so arranged that it coacts with manually operable means to prevent operation of the switch when 'I the yoke is rocked downwardly to allow removal of the cover, the coaction of the combined switch element and fuse carrier and the housing being such as to prevent removal of the combined switch element and fuse carrier unless the parts are 4in open switch position.

Further objects are to provide a novel form of throw-out mechanism in which a oating lever assembly is employedand is spring urged in a manner to tension a fuse link when in circuit closed position and to throw out any remaining portions of the fuse link on rupture thereof and which coacts with the stationary contacts in a manner to provide a heavy yielding contact pressure between the floating lever assembly and the stationary contacts.

Further objects are to provide a fuse link throw-out construction for an oil switch which is so made that no tension is imposed on the fuse link when the switch is in switch open position,

but is arranged to tension the fuse link when the switch is in closed position.

A further specific object of this invention is to provide a novel manner of mounting the stationary contacts so that they are firmly and securely mounted on the innermost part of two concentric insulating cylinders with the lead receiving portion of the contacts located between the cylinders.

Further objects are to provide an oil fuse cutout construction in Vwhich a very short fuse link is employed, in which there is no chance of any portion of the fuse link dropping downwardly after rupture of the fuse link, in which a short relatively heavy fiber or other insulating tubular member is provided for the fuse link and is carried in an insulating rotary combined switch element and fuse carrier, in which the tubular member which receives the fuse is open at both ends and is relatively short and insures extinction of the arc by the expulsion of the oil and gases from both ends of the tube while at the same time preventing the building up of excessive pressure within the tube.

Further objects are to provide a construction in which extreme rigidity and strength is obtained for the several parts of the device, in which' the concentric insulating cylinders are securely held in a positive and rigid manner to the housing, in which adequate means are provided 4for protecting the tie bolts or other members that hold the concentric tubular cylinders in place, and in which there is no chance of the are striking from any of the contacts to any of the metal portions of the housing or other parts of the apparatus.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view on the line I--I of Figure 3, however, showing the yoke in its normal or vertical position.

Figure 2 is a sectional View on the line 2-2 of Figure 3 and similarly to Figure 1 showing the yoke in its normal'vertical position.

Figure Sis a sectional view'on the line 3--3 of Figure 1, however, showing the yoke rocked downwardly to its horizontal position.

Figure 4 is a sectional View on the line 4--4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on the line 5 5 of Figure l.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of the combined switch element and fuse carrier showing the parts in the position they occupy when in switch open position and when the fuse' link is not ruptured.

Figure 7 is a view 'corresponding to Figure 6,

3 however, showing the parts in the position they occupy in switch closed position.

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 7 showing the position of the parts after rupture of the fuse link.

Figure 9 is a viewcorresponding to Figure 7 showing a further form of combined switch element and fuse carrier showing the parts in the position they occupy when the switch is in closed position and when the fuse link is not ruptured.

Figure l is a face view oi the movable contact assembly.

Figure li is a view corresponding to Figure '9 showing the parts in the position they occupy when the switch is in switch. open position.

Figure 12 is a view corresponding to Figure 9 showing the switch in closed position and show-v ing the position that the parts occupy when the fuse has been ruptured.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the electrical cut-out comprises a casing having a lower portion I, a bottom portion 2 and an upper portion 3. The upper portion is provided with a circular opening II and with a laterally and downwardly extending portion through which the leads or conductors Ii extend, such conductors projecting through suitable insulating bushings '1. It is preferable to at least partially fill the portion 5 with an insulating sealing compound indicated at 8. The housing is adapted 'tio be filled with oil or other suitable insulating liquid to approximately the level indicated by the dotted line 9 in Figure 2, a suitable plug Iii being provided. 'Ihe casingis equipped with any suitable means such as the feet II, whereby it may be attached to a suitable support, not shown.

A pair of concentric insulating cylinders are positioned within the housing. The innermost cylinder is indicated by the reference character I2 and the outermost cylinder by the reference character I3. These cylinders are spaced apart and are open at their upper and lower ends. The upper ends of the cylinders bear against three or more inwardly projecting lugs I4 and are held against such lugs by means of tie bolts l5. The tie bolts or elongated screws i5 are provided at their lower ends with downwardly extending insulating sheath-like members It which have reduced portions II located in the space between the concentric cylinders I2 and I3 as shown most clearly in Figure l. Thus the tie bolts are housed for the major part of their length jointly by the concentric cylinders and by the sheath or insulating thimbles I6.

A pair of diametrically opposed stationary contacts I8 are positioned on the inner side of the innermost cylinder, as shown ,most clearly in Figures 2 and 5 These stationary contacts I3 are secured in place by means of screws i e which extend from the outer side of the innermost insulating cylinder I2 into the stationary contacts I8. The stationary contacts I8, it will be noted., are extended in one direction and may be abruptly cut off in the other direction, as shown in Figure 5, vso as to permit the free riding of the movable contacts over the extended portion of the stationary contacts I 8 as will appear hereinafter. The extended portions or reduced portions of the stationary contacts I8 are indicated by the reference character 20, in Figure 5.

A further point to be noted in connection with the stationary contacts is that they are provided with outwardly and upwardly projecting extended portions arranged to receive the leads or conductors 6. These lead receiving portions O 4 the stationary contacts I8 are indicated by the reference character 2i, in Figures 2 and 5.

It Will be seen from the description thus far given that the stationary contacts are mounted on the inner side of the innermost insulating cylinders and .have integral projecting portions extending upwardly into the space between the concentric cylinders I2 and I3, see Figure 2, which portions receive the leads 6. From the above description it will be seen that the leads E are housed for the portion thereof adjacent the stationary contacts in the space between the concentric cylinders and consequently there is no chance of any arc reaching the leads. Further it is to be understood from reference to Figure 2, for instance, that the inner side of the lower portion I oi the housing is lined with ber or other suitable insulation indicated by the reference character 22. If desired, -a drain plug 23 may be provided in the bottom portion 2 of the housing,

The component parts I, 2, and 3 of the casing are held together by means of tie rods 2d. The tie .rods 24 .are all located externally of the lower portion I of the casing and are threaded into the upper portion 3 thereof, as shown most clearly in Figure 4. It is preferable to provide a gasket 25 between the portion I and the portion 3 of the casing and to weld the bottom 2 to the lower portion l of the casing.

' The upper portion 3 of the casing, as has been previously described, is provided with a circular opening 4. This opening has relatively large rectangular notches 26 formed at diametrically opposite points, as shown in Figure 1i, and has a small notch 2'I formed diametrically opposite a .larger .notch 28. The casing is also provided with stop pins 29 and 30, as shown in Figure 4, to deiine the amount of rotation allowed the combined fuse carrier and movable switch elew .ment constitutes the rotor portion of the device.

The movable contacts are carried by a rotor indicated generally at 3l. This rotor is formed yof insulating material and is adapted to be normally centrally located with reference to the concentric cylinders I2 and I3. It has an upper metal portion 32 and is provided with a relatively large rib 33 and a relatively smaller rib 34, see Figures l and 2, which are adapted to respectively pass through the notches 28 and 21, see Figure 4. The rotor is also provided with an upwardly projecting shaft 35 which passes through a packing gland composed of the packing 3B and the compression nut 31 carried by a head or cover 38 which is adapted to close the upper opening 4 in the casing, see Figures 1 and 2. Preferably, a gasket 39 is carried by the head 38 so as to seal against the upper edge of the casing when the head is forced downwardly by means hereinafter described. The upper end of the shaft is journaled in an overhanging portion 4l! of the head 38 and is provided with a handle receiving socket member or hub 4I rigid with the shaft 35.

It is to be noted from Figures l, 2, and 4 that the upper portion 32 of the rotor is provided with diametrically opposed outwardly projecting substantially rectangular lips 42 which are adapted to pass through the rectangular openings 26, see Figure 4, when the rotor is inserted into the casing. When the rotor is in place, these rectangular lips 42 ride beneath shouldered portions or overhanging portions 43 of the casing and thus prevent withdrawal of the rotor in all positions except when the lugs or ears 42 are in alignment with the notches 26. -When the ears 42 are in alignment with the notches 26 the rotor is in switch open position and when the rotor has been rocked through 90 degrees to the position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the rotor is in switch closed position.

Further it is to be noted from Figure 1 that the upper portion 32 of the rotor is provided with a pair of upstanding ears 44 which aid in centering the rotor while it is being moved to its final position during insertion and prior to the time that the head 38 of the rotor assembly is clam-ped tightly against the casing 3 in a manner hereinafter to appear. The movable contacts of the rotor assembly are shown most clearly in Figures 6, 7, and 8 and comprise a pair of floating levers 45 on opopsite sides of the rotor. These floating leviers are provided with contact portions 46 adapted to engage the stationary contacts I8 when the rotor is rocked to switch closed position, as shown in Figure 7 for instance. The floating levers carry at their lower ends fuse link receiving means consisting of the threaded studs 41 rigid with the levers 45 and provided with thumb nuts 4B for clamping the ends of the fuse link, indicated generally by the reference character 49, in place. The floating levers are carried by means of a pair of outwardly spring pressed supporting levers 50 pivotally supported from the rotor in brackets 5|, secured to the rotor by means of screws 52, the screws 52 being located in recesses 53 vformed in the rotor. The supporting levers 5D are pivoted to the floating levers at the free ends of the levers 50 by means of pivot pins 54. They are provided with upper ends 55 which are adapted to engage stops 56 formed integrally with the brackets 5| when the contacts 46 of the oating levers 45 are not in engagement with the stationary contacts I8, see Figure 6. Springs 51 are loosely coiled about the pivot pins 58 of the supporting levers 50 and urge the lower ends of the supporting levers towards outward rocking Amotion, thus tending to carry the pivot pins 54 of 'the floating levers 45 outwardly. The floating levers are provided with bearing portions 59` ad- .jacent their lower ends arranged to Contact with vportions of the rotor 3| to limit the inward position of the lower ends of the levers 45.

The fuse link indicated generally at, 49 is, as stated, very short in its total length. It is provided at one end with a rigid metal member 60 which is hook-shaped, as may be seen from Figure 1. At its other end it is provided with a flexible leader 6|. The leader 6I and the rigid member 60 are adapted to be clamped in place on the levers 45 by means of the thumb nuts 48. The intermediate portion of the fuse link has a very short fusible section 62 and a strain wire 63. The fusible section of the fuse link is housed within a liber tube 64 carried by the rotor 3| Vand extending transversely of the rotor. The rotor 3| is preferably of oil impregnatedwood, whereas the fuse tube 64 is ypreferably formed of ber to aid in the extinction of the arc upon rupture of the fuse link in a well known manner. However, it is obvious that the materials of which the fuse tube 64 and the rotor 3| are composed may be varied if desired.

It is to be noted that the fuse tube 64 is an expulsion fuse tube and is open at both ends so as to allow expulsion of oil and gas from both ends of the tube on rupture of the fuse link on overload. It is apparent, therefore, that this device can withstand extremely heavy overloads without 6 generating excessive pressure within the short ex pulsion fuse tube 64. f

When the switch is in open position, the movable contacts occupy the position shown in Figure 6. When the switch is in closed position, the movable contacts occupy the position shown in Figure 7. It will be seen that the Contact portions 46 of the floating levers 45 are pressed against the stationary contacts I8 and thus secure a high contact pressure at the same time the fuse link is tensioned. In the event an overload occurs, the fuse link is ruptured and the floating levers rock to the position shown in Figure 8, extracting any remaining portion of the fuse link and assisting in clearing the circuit. In addition to this, there is an expulsion action. The oil and generated gases are expelled from the expulsion tube 64 and further assist in extinguishing the resulting arc.

It is to be noted particularly that when the switch is in open position the parts occupy the positions shown in Figure 6 and there is no tension on the fuse link. However, when the switch is rocked to closed position, the parts occupy the positions shown in Figure 7 and the fuse link is placed under tension.

The switch may also be manually opened under load as the break occurs beneath the oil level and the arc is quickly extinguished. This manual opening of the switch is secured by rotating the rotor 3| about its axis.

Attention is now directed to Figures l, 2, and 3. It will be seen that the portion 3 of the casing is provided with a pair of upstanding ears or lugs 65 which carry pivot pins o1' screws 66. These pivot members 66 have reduced portions 6l on which the arms of a bail or yoke member 68 are pivotally mounted. This yoke is provided with a downwardly extending ilange 69 which is arranged to contact with the upper portion 40 of the head 38, see Figure 1, when an attempt is made to rock the yoke or bail member 68 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1. However, the bail may be rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1. When the bail or yoke is in vertical position a pressure screw 'I0 is arranged to be screwed down to force the head or cover portion 38 into tight, sealing relation with the portion 3 of the casing. When the parts are yin this position with the bail vertical, it is clear that the operating handle 'iI may be inserted into the handle receiving hub portion 4| and the switch may be moved manually to either open or closed position by rotating the rotor 3|. However, when the `bail or yoke 66 is rocked downwardly into the dotted line position shown in Figure 1 and the full line position shown in Figure 3, it is clear that the two upstanding ears or portions 12 formed integrally withrthe yoke 68 prevent the insertion of the handle 1| into the handle receiving socket 4`| in either switch open or-switch closed position and conse- 4quently it is impossible to operate the switch when the bail is in its horizontal position, as shown in full lines in Figure 3 or in dotted lines in Figure 1.

Further it is to be noted from reference to Figures 1, 2, and 4 that the combined rotor and fuse carrier cannot be removed from the casing, although the bail 68 may vbe rocked downwardly to its horizontal position, as long as the switch is in closed position as the lugs 42 are locked beneath the shouldered portions 43 of the casing and consequently preclude the removal of the rotor. When it is desired to remove the rotor. it is necessary to rst rock the switch to switch vopen position so that the lugs 4,2 are in alignment with the rectangular notches 26. Thereafter the handle vis removed, the pressure screw Hl is loosened and the bail '63 is rocked to itshorizontal position. The rotor may be lifted directly upwardly from the casing. It may be refused and reinserted into the casing. However, the switch cannot be rotated to switch closed position as one oi the ears 'l2 is in front of the handle receiving portion lll, see Figure 3. It is necessary to rock the bail to its vertical position before the handle can be inserted in the handle receiving portion M. Consequently, there is no danger of the operator closing the switch until the bail has been rocked to its vertical position. The natural procedure, therefore, consists of the rocking of the bail to its vertical position at which time the pressure screw l@ is again tightened to firmly hold the head 38 in sealing relation to the casing. Thereafter, the handle 'il is inserted in the handle receiving portion l and the switch isrocked -to switch closed position.

It is obvious that, if desired, the casing may be completely sealed from communication with the outside air as has been shown in the drawings. The casing -is provided with a pair of removable screw plugs T3, see Figure 3. One or both of these screw plugs may be removed and a cushioning chamber or cushioning chambers may be screwed into the resulting opening. In place of .this a suitable vent pipe or vent pipes may replace one or both of the screw plugs T3, respectively. inasmuch as both of these features, namely, the vent pipe and the cushioning chamber are old in the art, such construction has `not been shown.

Referring to Figures .9 through l2 it will be seen that this form of the invention is very similar in principle to that previously described and operates in very much the same way as that previously described. The movable contacts are indicated by the reference characters 'M and are carried by the heavy spring members l5. Preferably the spring members l5 are slotted as indicated at "lli in Figure i0. The oating throw-out levers of the movable contact assemblies are indicated by the reference character 'il and are pivoted as indicated at i8 on the ears 'i9 carried by springs S. The springs Sti and l5 are held in place by means of the screws 5t. The floating 4pivoted levers Vl are provided with screws tl and with thumb nuts 82 which serve to clamp opposite ends of the fuse link. It is to be noted that a flexible conducting braid 33 is held beneath the heads 'N of the movable contacts and beneath the heads of the screws 8i so as to afford excellent electrical connection between the movable contacts lll and the throw-out levers il. This braid may be formed of a strip looped about the head of the screw 8l and having its ends clamped beneath the heads lfi of the movable contacts. The intermediate portion of the braid 83 .is overlapped and passes through an opening 34 in the corresponding throw-out lever ll, see Figure lo. The floating throw-out levers 'll are provided with rounded upper ends 85 which bear against the inner side of the main contact springs l5.

The ruse link may be constructed as previously described and extends through the tube Sli. When the fuse link ruptures on overload any re maining portion thereof is pulled out or thrown out as previously described. Also the expulsion laction and the extinguishing action due to the oil takes place as previously described.

It is to be .noted from Figure ril that 'when the switch "is in open position that there is no stress on the fuse link. The springs l5 and 80 move outwardly to the position shown lin Figure 11. However, when the switch is moved to closed position as shown in Figure 9 the contacts 14 are -forced inwardly and move the upper ends 85 of the floating throwwout levers 'il inwardly. This moves the pivot points "ZS of the throw-out levers Il? inwardly and moves the springs 34 inwardly and thus tensions the fuse link. Upon rupture of the fuse link the parts assume ythe position shown in Figure 12 and it will be seen that rm contact between the movable contacts andthesta.- tionary ycontacts is maintained although the springs lill :have moved outwardly and have .consequently caused the throw-out levers l1 to pull out or throw out any remaining portion of the fuse link.

It will be seen that a novel type of electrical cut-out construction of the oil fuse type has been provided by this invention which may be manually opened under load or which may lbe alltomatica'lly opened under load with the assurance that Yany resulting arc will be quickly extin -guished Further it is obvious that the device is wholltr safe in use as it is impossible for the operator to either open or close the switch when the bail ,or yoke is in horizontal position. Access to the handle receiving portion can -be had only when the bail is in its vertical position. In addition to this, the combined rotor and fuse carrier can be inserted in only one position and when moved to switch closed position it cannot be lifted from the casing although the bail may be in horizontal position. Thus a full degree of safety is provided for the operator.

It is also clear that the novel arrangement of concentric insulating cylinders, the innermost of which carries the stationary contacts, provides for the free lcirculation of oil upon rupture of the fuse link or manual opening of the circuit, as these cylinders are open at their top and bottom. In addition to this, the peculiar relation between the arrangement of the leads and the concentric insulating cylinders protects the leads.

It is to be noted that the total length of the fuse link between the lower ends of the oating levers or throw-out levers is less than the distance from either of these levers to the bottom of the casing. Thus it is clear that there is no chance of any dangling portion of the fuse link shorting to the bottom of the casing when the fuse link is ruptured on overload.

It will be seen further that the device is easy to operate as no pressure is imparted to the vertical shaft of the rotor by the pressure screw of the yoke or bail portion.

It is to be noted particularly that in both forms of the invention when the switch is in open position, the fuse link is not tensioned. However, when the switch is rocked to closed position the ruse link is placed under tension and the parts are in position to execute the throw-out or lpullout action on the fuse link in the event of rupture on overload.

Although this invention has been described in 'considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

l. An oil switch construction comprising a casing adapted to contain oil, a pair of concentric y'cylinders of insulating material carried by said casing and -having a portion at least projecting into the oil, a pair of stationary contacts carried on the inner side of the inner cylinder, leads extending downwardly in the space between the cylinders and electrically connected to the stationary contacts, an insulating rotor revolubly supported inside of said inner cylinder, and a pair of electrically connected movable contacts carried by said rotor and arranged to engage and disengage said stationary contacts when said 10 rotor is turned to iirst or a second position, respectively.

2. An oil switch construction comprising a casing adapted to contain oil, a pair of concentric cylinders of insulating material carried by said casing and located within the oil, said cylinders being open at their upper and lower ends for the major portion of their extent and said cylinders being spaced from the bottom of said casing, a pair of stationary contacts carried on the inner side of the inner cylinder, leads extending downwardly between said cylinders and connected to said stationary contacts, an insulating rotor revolubly supported inside said cylinders, electrically connected movable contacts carried by said rotor and arranged to engage and disengage said 1U stationary contacts when said rotor is rotated to a first or a second position, respectively, and means located externally of said casing for rotating said rotor.

3. An oil switch construction comprising a casing adapted to contain oil, a pair of concentric cylinders of insulating material carried by said casing and located within the oil, said cylinders being open at their upper and lower ends, tie rods attached at their upper ends to the casing and extending between said cylinders for holding said cylinders in place, insulating thimbles surrounding the lower ends of said tie rods and bearing against the lower portions of said cylinders, stationary contacts mounted on the inner side of the inner cylinder, a rotor of insulating material revolubly supported inside the inner cylinder and having a pair of electrically connected movable contacts arranged to engage and disengage said stationary contacts when said rotor is rotated to a iirst or a second position respectively, and means for rotating said rotor.

WILLIAM O. SCHULTZ.

No references cited. 

